What do you think about the Netherlands starting comprehensive sex education when children are four years old?

I'm actually in the Netherlands, and I have a 4 year old son. Spring fever week was recently.

My son's Kindergarten class covered the fact that they used to be babies before they grew into big kids. And that babies grow inside their mother's belly before they are born. They talked about how it's different for some animals - that birds come from an egg. They made some art work using their own baby pictures, and showed each other what they looked like as a baby.

My son didn't learn anything he didn't already know, but I'm very happy his school participates in the spring fever week and went over the basics again in a class setting. As far as I'm concerned sex education should be an ongoing conversation throughout childhood, starting in infancy with very simply naming body parts, and pretty soon explaining pregnancy in an age appropriate manner.

Not all kids are developmentally ready for sex ed at the same ages. It should't be force-fed. Much depends on what they're being exposed to at what age. And how sensitive the teacher is.

I see nothing wrong with it. I think a big reason we have so many uninformed and embarrassed teens and adults is because we make sex out to be something to be embarrassed by. Kids can understand so many things if you phrase them correctly and put them in terms they can understand.

And you'd be surprised how much of a non-issue the sex talk is when you lay the foundation at an early age by giving basic anatomy lessons. You don't have to go into the mechanics, but you certainly can explain what a vagina and penis are.

As the child gets older, you can adapt the talk into terms they can understand and add to it as needed. the more exposure you give your child on a repetitive basis, the easier the entire subject will be for them to grasp. It will also stop being a taboo subject for them and they will be more communicative with you when it comes time for them to enter that type of activity.

It sounds like a good plan over all the only thing I would change is age 6, instead of 4. By age 6, most kids are ready to enter first grade and have usually heard things about body parts and sometimes have seen and heard things on TV or in movies that have some sexual content. They can understand basics and should be taught enough information so that they aren't in the dark compared to the rest of their peers.

My PreK class knows the proper names for "those parts", and parents every year toss a fit about that when it comes up in class .

A toe is a toe, and boys have a penis. It's a body part. Not some mysterious appendage that is never to be spoken about.

Sex is evil and shameful and should be kept a secret from all children for as long as you are able to have complete control over their lives.

Link not lake. Sorry.